Frame cracks

[cheavyk10]

.... Or lack thereof. I think I'm going to buy a lotto ticket today. I am in the middle of my swap to cross over steering and completely expected to frame to be cracked behind the steering box. I have been running the ORD bolt on brace for a number of years. But I am completely shocked...I have not been nice to this truck. I've bent the rear axle, jumped it by mistake quite a few times, and destroyed the rear cab mounts. Now I'm on the fence if I should even weld up the steering box plates on this or run it as is...

 

[Bent77]

In theory, the plate is only used for repair

I got to this point welded the plate in

 

[TJ1978]

Why not weld it since you're already in there?

 

[K85 Octane]

I never even checked.
Right away I put a weld on plate and the brace in, haven’t looked back.

 

[Babaganoosh]

You already have it and the area is prepped. Buzz it in

Mine wasn’t cracked either and I welded it on. It must be a long bed thing.

 

[1-ton]

I did the same with my "cream puff" crew cab. The frame was not cracked, but I welded in the frame steering box re-inforcement plate anyway when I installed the cross-over steering. It has the steering box support brackets as well.

 

[cheavyk10]

Well boys I cheesed out. No plates today. I picked up a Cardone rebuilt box and I had the feeling I wouldn't like it, and I would peel it back off to add hydro assist anyway. My concerns were unfounded. The box is super tight, I can't believe how bad the old one was. I also added a Derale cooler while I was at it. I wanted to get it done today as well because there was a car cruise downtown I wanted to go to.